Father-in-law locks out widow eight days after husband’s death in Lagos

A young widow in Lagos, Nigeria, is at the center of a distressing family dispute just days after her husband's passing. Tosin, a 28-year-old mother of two, was allegedly padlocked out of her matrimonial home by her father-in-law, eight days after her husband, Tosin, died.

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Standing with young widow TOSIN. This man here is Tosin’s father-in-law. See him padlocking the gate, locking Tosin outside.

Activist Harrison Gwamnishu brought the case to public attention via his X handle, sharing a video of the father-in-law securing the property's gate. Gwamnishu stated that the in-laws, who have their own residence, are allegedly targeting the deceased's properties and disregarding the two children left behind. The widow is reportedly facing threats for speaking out.

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He has his own house. They are after properties and forgetting there are two children left behind. Tosin is now being threatened for going public.

According to Gwamnishu's earlier posts, the husband died on July 20, 2026. Following his death, members of his family reportedly moved into the residence. They allegedly ordered the widow and her two young sons to confine themselves to a single room. The family has also allegedly begun distributing the deceased's belongings and plans to sell his car, leaving the grieving widow in fear for her and her children's safety.

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Our demand is simple: In-laws move to your house and allow Tosin to mourn her late husband.

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency confirmed it was aware of the viral report and had contacted the widow. The agency stated that the survivor reported threats to her life, physical assault, and intimidation. The agency is intervening to protect the widow and her children from dispossession and to ensure they are not deprived of their inheritance.

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She is appealing to the Lagos State Government, especially the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, to urgently intervene and protect her and her children from intimidation, unlawful dispossession and any further actions that may deprive her children of their late father’s inheritance.